Fall Workshop & Critique 2025
Oct 18, 2025
Millcreek, UT
New format! More choice! You can build your day with what you need most for your writing. You can have a day of critiques, a day of workshops, or mix and match them. With an amazing faculty, you’re sure to walk away with a breadth of new knowledge and direction. The workshops will be taught by special guests: art director Mina Chung, agent Adria Goetz, and editors Kristie Choi and Esther Cajahuaringa. In addition to our workshop faculty, XXX, will also be leading the some of First Look Critique Sessions.
Located at the Sons of Utah Pioneers building at: 3301 E. Louise Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
SCBWI member pricing: $169 through September 18th (regularly $189)
Non-member pricing: $189 through September 18th (regularly $209)
Workshop Descriptions
Crafting a MG/YA Novel 101 with Kristie Choi, Editor, Atheneum Books for Young Readers/S&S
This workshop will go over the fundamental craft principles of writing a novel for middle grade or teen/young adult readers with a particular focus on plot/story development, voice, and characterization, as well as the importance of revision. We'll also discuss important market concepts involved in acquisition decisions from a major publisher's perspective, such as: what exactly is a 'commercial hook'? And what makes a story 'high-concept'?
Kristie Choi
Kristie Choi works on a range of YA/MG novels, picture books, graphic novels, and select nonfiction. The books she’s edited have won numerous accolades, awards, and hit New York Times bestseller lists. Kristie is looking for high-concept character-driven and voice-driven stories with an original and timeless feel that young readers of all backgrounds can get lost in. Regardless of format, she's drawn to stories that are inventive, creatively ambitious, and amplify traditionally marginalized voices. Many of the stories she's fallen in love with have been the kind she would never have thought to ask for with a MSWL. Find her on Bluesky @kristiechoi.bsky.social
Kristie will critique:
Picture Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Picture Book Dummy
Kristie's wish list:
I'm open to picture books and novels and graphic novels for middle grade and young adult/teen readers. My taste tends to run literary or "upmarket," and I love when writing doesn't underestimate the intelligence of young readers. For picture books, I'm currently looking for high-concept, funny stories with silly and absurd humor that isn't message-y. In middle grade: verse novels and high-concept fantasy/speculative in the vein of The Last Cuentista, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, or The Last Tiger. In YA: standout queer/trans voices; complex characters; voice-y or lyrical and romantic coming-of-age or genre fiction (mystery, fantasy, horror).
Magic at the Table: Writing for the Child Reader with Esther Cajahuaringa, Editor, Alfred A. Knopf BFYR
This workshop is designed with the intention to cultivate a safe space where creators feel seen, heard, and encouraged to look at their work in a new way. With over nine years of editorial experience working on various formats from debut to award-winning creators, we’ll talk about the craft and persistence of shaping your stories with kid readers in mind.
Esther Cajahuaringa
Esther Cajahuaringa is an editor at Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House. As a former educator who graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University, she’s passionate about elevating underrepresented voices. She edits picture books and graphic novels (up to middle grade). She loves musicals, traveling, and getting lost in bookstores with her husband.
Esther will critique:
Picture Books, Illustrator portfolios, Picture Book Dummy
Esther's Wish List:
I'm looking for stories whose words I want to live in and whose characters take up room in my heart like a dear, old friend. I want to be transported to a time or a place! I mainly acquire picture books as well as graphic novels (early to middle grade only). I love humor, heartfelt, lyrical stories and open to fiction and nonfiction picture books as well.
Editing your Picture Book with Adria Goetz, Senior Literary Agent, KT Literary
How do you know if your picture book is ready to query? This workshop is designed to help you whip your picture book manuscript into tip top shape so you feel 100% confident sending your work to literary agents. It covers the most commonly given notes from editors and delves into tips and tricks for polishing your story until it shines. This workshop will equip you to be a strong self-editor, help you avoid common pitfalls, and give you more insight into which of your manuscripts may be more salable than others.
Adria Goetz
Adria Goetz is a senior literary agent and illustration coordinator at KT Literary. She represents picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, and adult fiction. She was recently proud to represent the instant NYT and Indie Bestseller MILLIE FLEUR’S POISON GARDEN by Christy Mandin, THE WHATIFS by Emily Kilgore, IN THE GROVES by Andrea Cruz Floren, and Indie Bestseller THE CRESCENT MOON TEAROOM by Stacy Sivinski. In her spare time she can be found rewatching Gilmore Girls for the millionth time, listening to Taylor Swift, and dreaming about the mossy stone cottage in the woods she would like to live in one day. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband Alex and their two gray cats.
Adria will critique:
Picture Books, Middle Grade, Graphic Novels, Illustrator portfolios, Picture Book Dummy
Adria's wish list:
For picture books, I love hilarious, commercial-feeling picture books with an irresistibly clever premise, as well as magical picture books that will stick with a child for the rest of their life. For middle grade, I love fantasy, magical realism, mysteries, and anything with an unconventional format. For graphic novels, I'm open to anything. Across the board, I love stories with heart and whimsy, a unique atmosphere/strong sense of place, a strong hook, and projects with multiple marketing entry points.
Refund Policy
If you need to cancel your registration:
By October 1st - 100% refund for registration, less a $25 administration fee.
After October 1st - NO REFUNDS.
Email [email protected] with questions.